Fluke 1664FC issues - Null - Low Batt - Err 5

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Monchichak

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Hi There,

Just invested in a Fluke 1664FC multifunction tester in the hope of gaining accurate - repeatable results but unfortunately it's not proving very accurate at all...

Basic issue:
New Energizer alkaline batteries in meter
Meter in continuity mode
Neutral & Earth non-fused probes plugged into null adapter
Press & hold 'Test' button

Results vary from 0.09 Ohms to open circuit with light movement on the probes, occasionally Lo Batt is displayed & very occasionally Err 5 is displayed. This happens with any probe combination even if I vigorously twist probes into the null adapter to obtain a better connection & it also happens in other modes that measure continuity.

It appears that the spring clips on the end of the probes have a poor electrical connection to the probes which are causing the varying readings, has anyone managed to overcome this? Any tricks, different null adapters or leads I should try?

I'm assuming ERR 5 pops up due to the poor 'noisy' contacts but I can't understand why I am receiving Low Batt message in continuity mode when simply shorting probes into null adapter & wiggling them, has anyone else seen this?


Thanks for any advice
 
Monchichak said:
Hi There,

Just invested in a Fluke 1664FC multifunction tester in the hope of gaining accurate - repeatable results but unfortunately it's not proving very accurate at all...

Basic issue:
New Energizer alkaline batteries in meter
Meter in continuity mode
Neutral & Earth non-fused probes plugged into null adapter
Press & hold 'Test' button

Results vary from 0.09 Ohms to open circuit with light movement on the probes, occasionally Lo Batt is displayed & very occasionally Err 5 is displayed. This happens with any probe combination even if I vigorously twist probes into the null adapter to obtain a better connection & it also happens in other modes that measure continuity.

It appears that the spring clips on the end of the probes have a poor electrical connection to the probes which are causing the varying readings, has anyone managed to overcome this? Any tricks, different null adapters or leads I should try?

I'm assuming ERR 5 pops up due to the poor 'noisy' contacts but I can't understand why I am receiving Low Batt message in continuity mode when simply shorting probes into null adapter & wiggling them, has anyone else seen this?


Thanks for any advice
Click to expand...
Are the batteries the rechargeable type? if so have you charged them up correctly?
 
Monchichak said:
Hi There,

Just invested in a Fluke 1664FC multifunction tester in the hope of gaining accurate - repeatable results but unfortunately it's not proving very accurate at all...

Basic issue:
New Energizer alkaline batteries in meter
Meter in continuity mode
Neutral & Earth non-fused probes plugged into null adapter
Press & hold 'Test' button

Results vary from 0.09 Ohms to open circuit with light movement on the probes, occasionally Lo Batt is displayed & very occasionally Err 5 is displayed. This happens with any probe combination even if I vigorously twist probes into the null adapter to obtain a better connection & it also happens in other modes that measure continuity.

It appears that the spring clips on the end of the probes have a poor electrical connection to the probes which are causing the varying readings, has anyone managed to overcome this? Any tricks, different null adapters or leads I should try?

I'm assuming ERR 5 pops up due to the poor 'noisy' contacts but I can't understand why I am receiving Low Batt message in continuity mode when simply shorting probes into null adapter & wiggling them, has anyone else seen this?


Thanks for any advice
Click to expand...
Are you using the L and PE inputs? Continuity on my Fluke is between these two, not N and E.

Edit: having said that, it will give the LEAD error message if you've not connected a lead to the L input so you must be using the L input. How are the readings with the lead set with the 13amp plug on the end?
 
Last edited:
Monchichak said:
Batteries are new Energizer Alkaline type - battery holder seems pretty loose when located. Is the rechargeable option better?
Click to expand...
What does the Manual say to use are, could be if you using ordinary batteries, you MAY be goosing them if you leave your tester plugged in for some time.
Not saying this is what has happened just chucking an idea around.
 
After investigsting further I'm convinced the low batt message must be a funny 'quirk' of this tester when a poor contact exists during continuity test. It happens with all lead combinations when a poor contact exists but it is mostly noticeable when using the spring loaded part of the probes (eg plugging probes directly into null adapter as instructed) since this part introduces a poor contact.

Would be handy if someone else with a 1664 could confirm.

Thanks for help
 
Monchichak said:
After investigsting further I'm convinced the low batt message must be a funny 'quirk' of this tester when a poor contact exists during continuity test. It happens with all lead combinations when a poor contact exists but it is mostly noticeable when using the spring loaded part of the probes (eg plugging probes directly into null adapter as instructed) since this part introduces a poor contact.

Would be handy if someone else with a 1664 could confirm.

Thanks for help
Click to expand...
I think it would be worth getting in touch with Fluke or the seller as this doesn't sound like something a top of the range tester should do.

For what it's worth, I have the 1654 and don't have any problems using any of the leads or probes with the null adaptor - readings are always consistent and no error or low battery messages.
 
Monchichak said:
Basic issue:
New Energizer alkaline batteries in meter....


.... but I can't understand why I am receiving Low Batt message in continuity mode when simply shorting probes into null adapter & wiggling them, has anyone else seen this?


Thanks for any advice
Click to expand...
a) Do batteries get flat extra quickly ?
( Has meter suffered a bad fall - got worst from then on == Cracked capacitor -draining extra power == Or more expensive part )

b)--Do also check battery compartment for any residue -causing an occasional poor contact
--So it receives poor power -- Indictated battery voltage moves about if tap meter gently
--(I suspect) Low ohms continuity ,draws the most current from the batteries - Possibly showing signs of a weak "single-bat" / dirt / or fault.
 
main problem is it don't say "Megger XXXX" on the box
 

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just as a hijack, a lot has been said about how accurate MFT's are on no-trip Zs. doing a EICR yesterday and just out of interest i tried my Megger 1553, 11 years old, on both. (at the same socket outlet). hi current 0.25. no-trip 0.26. good enough for me. probably the 0.01 is due to the hi current test warming the cables and thus making a slight increase in resistance... o_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_O:laughing:.
 
I've reasoned the low battery message maybe a design fault since everything else works fine.

Checked the unit is genuine which it is & still has 2 years warranty.

I figured it maybe something to do with the high current continuity test, my thinking being:
High current continuity test underway - Meter is providing a regulated high current to carry out the test. Probes disconnected quickly (scenario which occasionally shows fault) so circuit suddenly becomes open circuit, meter attempts to regulate it's high current by increasing test voltage which would suddenly draw additional current from the battery to do so. This surge may cause the battery voltage to dip or perhaps the internal psu can't support it causing a low batt warning message?
 
Do throw some decent ,Duracells in it before condemning it due to a
batch of stale batteries !
(re reading manual --ERROR-5)
Is all about noise ,poor contact.
So maybe you are confusing it!
Make a good connection
-before TEST !
 
Last edited:
Hi just joined the forum. I have a number of testers and my main one is a Fluke 1664FC. I have just tried to get the same results as you. Mine does not do that at all. My battery pack is tight in on the clip, not loose at all. I would suspect that you are getting v drop from the battery connections when drawing a bit of current from the batteries.
 
Hi Big JJ

Thanks for your input, that's interesting you're not seeing the same issue.

Batteries are in tight with good contacts but I've done experiments pushing them in tighter & purposefully causing them to be loose to see what the results are & it did not shed any light.

I've since just cracked on & used the meter & not noticed any other issues.

Hi Static Zap,
Just noticed your response a while back - good info, unit it not damaged & hasn't been dropped.
 
Useful information on Fluke meters, having had several and also several communications with Fluke technical.
1.) turn meter to volts press test button this will tell you voltage of batteries, from Fluke if under 7.2 volts change/charge batteries.
2.)if you have an ERR code, use the up/down buttons this will then give you the reading the meter has obtained.
 
Update:
Returned my Fluke 1664FC for calibration/repair along with a video of the consistent fault occurring.
I think it's safe to say this is a design quirk/fault.

Fluke response:

Dear Customer,
Thank you for getting in touch and letting us know about your concern with this unit.
We would like to assure you that in this instance there is no fault with the operation of the unit, and there is no concern with continuing to use this unit in its current state.
As the intermittent shorting of the connection is being made on the 250mA range, the significant intermittent fluctuation in current draw may occasionally cause a battery low message on screen.
Error 5 also correctly indicates noise, which is being simulated by the non-standard operation of the test in question.
The specification of the unit is not affected by the findings you have shown.
I hope the above covers any concerns you may have,

Regards,

Fluke Industrial Service.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Should you get a Fluke?
Fluke service response:
Unit arrived with Fluke on 3rd for calibration/repair
4th received invoice for calibration & note saying no fault found
4th I responded with E-Mail including video of fault & requested a re-check & explanation of symptoms.
-----Silence-----
11th I requested an update
-----Silence-----
15th I requested another update
16th Fluke finally responded with an explanation

Not impressed with the service time but hey ho.

So - that clears that up.

Thanks for all your support.

Chris
 
Swings and roundabouts , design decision.
... I once killed a current limited bench supply , with a fast switching load .
( If you read later instructions it tells you NOT TO .. )
Lesson learnt -- RTFM , If you value your job / Wallet !
-- Nothing is ever as good as "Sales guy makes-OUT " --
... If you lucky your employer may pick up bill on the learning curve..
(Killed a record player at school once -- Not a Disco AMP ) ...
To keep things affordable compromises may be made.
 

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